1. Minnesota’s Academic Standards
By Cristina Parra
February 12, 2019

2. History of High School Graduation Requirements
Until the 1990s: Credits (Carnegie units)
1 Credit = 5 classes per week for one school year
High school graduation requirements: 20 credits minimum
9 credits in core academic areas: 4 English, 1 math, 1 science, 3 social studies
Remaining credits could be electives
School districts could require additional course work for graduation
1990s: High School graduation rule
1992 and 1993: “Rigorous, results-oriented” high school graduation rule
State Board of Education must adopt 2 types of graduation requirements: Basic standards test and Profile of Learning
2000s: Shift toward statewide academic standards
February 12, 2019
Minnesota's Academic Standards / Minnesota House Research Department

3. High School Graduation Rule (1990s)
Basic skills test in reading and math, later added writing
Profile of learning - academic standards across a wide range of content areas, skills, and strategies
Examples of learning areas: “Read, view, and listen,” “Mathematical applications,” and “People and cultures”
Learning areas had 56 content standards for K-8, and 48 for 9-12
Repealed in 2003
February 12, 2019
Minnesota's Academic Standards / Minnesota House Research Department

4. Current Academic Standards
In 2003, the legislature replaced the Profile of Learning with required academic standards in subject areas.
Current required standards:
Language arts
Mathematics
Science
Social studies
Physical education
Health
Arts
February 12, 2019
Minnesota's Academic Standards / Minnesota House Research Department

5. Credits Must Be Sufficient To Satisfy Academic Standards
Language arts: 4 credits
Mathematics: 3 credits, including algebra II or equivalent
Algebra I credit by end of 8th grade
Science: 3 credits, including at least 1 credit of biology, 1 credit of physics, and 1 elective credit
Social studies: 3.5 credits, encompassing at least U.S. history, geography, government and citizenship, world history, and economics
Arts: 1 credit
Electives: 7 credits
February 12, 2019
Minnesota's Academic Standards / Minnesota House Research Department

6. Commissioner Develops Most Required Standards
Commissioner develops standards in:
Language arts
Mathematics
Science
Social studies, including history, geography, economics, and government and citizenship that includes civics
Physical education
Arts (but districts may opt for local standards)
Districts develop health standards and may develop arts standards
February 12, 2019
Minnesota's Academic Standards / Minnesota House Research Department

7. Standards Development
Commissioner must consider advice from stakeholders
Standards must:
Be clear, concise, objective, measurable, and grade-level appropriate
Not require a specific teaching methodology or curriculum
Be consistent with state and U.S. constitutions
Rulemaking process required to adopt standards
Revisions and reviews on ten-year cycle
Embed technology and information literacy standards
Alignment with career and college readiness
Contributions of Minnesota American Indian tribes
February 12, 2019
Minnesota's Academic Standards / Minnesota House Research Department

8. Grade-level Benchmarks
Commissioner develops benchmarks to supplement standards
High school career and college-ready benchmarks may cover more than one grade
Schools must offer and students must achieve all benchmarks for a standard to satisfactorily complete the standard
Commissioner must publish benchmarks in the State Register and inform the public
Benchmarks are not subject to chapter 14 (administrative rules)
February 12, 2019
Minnesota's Academic Standards / Minnesota House Research Department

9. Minnesota's Academic Standards / Minnesota House Research Department
Review Schedule
Arts,
Science,
Language arts,
Social studies,
Mathematics,
Physical education,
February 12, 2019
Minnesota's Academic Standards / Minnesota House Research Department

10. Science Standards Review Timeline
March committee applications accepted
May committee members announced
November First draft, public review and comment
February Second draft, public review and comment
May Final draft sent to commissioner for approval
February 12, 2019
Minnesota's Academic Standards / Minnesota House Research Department

11. School Districts and Charter Schools
Develop health and arts standards
Develop electives standards
Career and technical education standards
World languages standards (American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages)
District advisory committee: instruction and curriculum
Recommendations to school board on academic standards
Reflect diversity of school district and school sites, to extent possible
Site team (teachers, administrators, parent) to improve curriculum, instruction
February 12, 2019
Minnesota's Academic Standards / Minnesota House Research Department

12. Minnesota's Academic Standards / Minnesota House Research Department
Minnesota House Research Department provides nonpartisan legislative, legal, and information services to the Minnesota House of Representatives.
600 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
February 12, 2019
Minnesota's Academic Standards / Minnesota House Research Department